Arts Fair - University of Arts London

Funky bags, cushions and clothes by designers Izzy Jaffer, Rukia Begum and Ruweyda Dool are for sale tomorrow at the Arts Market, Upper Street Gallery at the London College of Communication, University of Arts London - Elephant and Castle. I definitely recommend a visit! It's open to the public from 11.00am to 9.00pm.

Beware of Embroidery

I'll be heading to Beware of Embroidery in Ealing at some point before it finishes (ends 27th February). The exhibition will feature a few artists who have a very contemporary take on what can be seen as quite old fashioned and I'm curious... 

While Naomi Ryder creates beautiful images of everyday scenes, artists such as Tilleke Schwarz and Laura Splan use embroidery to communicate political ideas or poetical visions that they passionately believe in.  Orly Cogan is not featured in the exhibition but I'll be commenting on her soon!  Tilleke Schwarz mixes up folk art samplers with pop art. She combines the use of intricate cross stitch with graffiti style images entirely by hand.  Laura Splan machine embroiders facial peels or viruses such as SARS and creates pretty doillies or floaty negligee!

Naomi Ryder

Naomi's illustrated embroideries are so lively and fresh. An age old traditional technique has been used and yet they look modern and original. I really love it when artists and/or designers use everyday activities or scenes for their images. Naomi's favourite artist is Alex Katz and you can see her creative spin on what are anything but mundane illustrations! I did a workshop with Naomi at the Fashion and Textiles Museum last year, creating embroidered silk paintings based on Bill Gibb. I'm always tempted to go back and do another and have visited her studio and website several times!

Bags featured in Remedy Magazine

Just a quick note to say that my bags have been featured in the latest issue of Remedy Magazine (p8 - 13). Farhana Jaffer, the creator and editor of the magazine also took the gorgeous pictures :)

Cora

From the same scarf that produced the Darlene bag, Cora is made from the reverse (golden side) with a deep plum lining and brass clasp. It has a real vintage feel to it. Slightly smaller and with a longer chain it's ideal for parties!

Bella (laptop cover)

Needing a laptop cover made me realise the lack of attractive bags that are available. So rather than traipsing the high street or net I made a recycled one using a gorgeous red rose print on yellow background from a free Waterstones bag I received a few years ago. It's padded with an unused travel towel and the fastening is from a pocket from a bag that collapsed recently! The response has been overwhelming so I may well develop a range of laptop covers! Denim, cord and tweed as well as prints seem popular :)

New year new bags and prints

Hi there, am in the final year of my Surface Design degree so apols for lack of postings! Despite juggling my course and two jobs I'm still loving it. I'm very pleased to report that Linda Florence won Surface Designer of the Year at the end of last year and that the flooring I helped work on with her over the summer was exhibited in China, Japan and Central St Martins! I'll put a couple of new bags up shortly and images of my new flamenco inspired prints and ceramics when I can... Meanwhile a groovy online magazine on new designers worth checking out is Remedy Magazine x